COCCIDIA (APICOMPLEXA) FROM HETEROMYID RODENTS IN THE SOUTHWESTERN UNITED-STATES, BAJA CALIFORNIA, AND NORTHERN MEXICO WITH 3 NEW SPECIES FROM CHAETODIPUS-HISPIDUS

Fecal samples from 223 heteromyid rodents of 4 genera and 13 species were collected from California, New Mexico, and Texas and from Baja California Norte and Sonora, Mexico. Of these, 84 (38%) were infected with coccidian oocysts; 72 of 84 (86%) infected animals had only 1 species of coccidian. Eleven species of coccidia were identified including 1 cyclosporan and 10 eimerians; the cyclosporan and 2 of the eimerians are described as new species. Sporulated oocysts of Cyclospora angimurinensis n. sp. were subspheroidal, 21.9 x 19.3 (19-24 x 16-22) μm, with sporocysts lemon-shaped, 11.9 x 9.5 (9-15 x 8-11) μm; it was found in 1 of 20 (4%) Chaetodipus hispidus. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria chaetodipi n. sp. were subspheroidal, 16.7 x 14.6 (13-19.5 x 12-17) μm, with sporocysts ovoidal, 8.7 x 6.6 (7.5-10.5 x 5-7.5) μm; it was found in 3 of 20 (15%) C. hispidus. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria hispidensis n. sp. were subspheroidal, 20.5 x 17.4 (17-23 x 14-21) μm, with sporocysts lemon-shaped, 9.3 x 7.2 (7.5-10.5 x 5-9) μm; it was found in 4 of 20 (20%) C. hispidus. Prevalence of infection included 0 of 20 Chaetodipus arenarius, 0 of 16 Chaetodipus baileyi, 25 of 46 (54%) Chaetodipus californicus, 13 of 30 (43%) Chaetodipus fallax, 7 of 20 (35%) Chaetodipus formosus, 14 of 20 (70%) C. hispidus, 4 of 25 (16%) Chaetodipus penicillatus, 5 of 7 (71%) Chaetodipus spinatus, 8 of 21 (38%) Dipodomys elator, 1 of 1 Perognathus flavescens, 5 of 11 (45%) Perognathus flavus, 0 of 3 Perognathus inornatus, and 2 of 3 (67%) Liomys pictus. The following coccidians were identified from infected rodents: C. angimurinensis n. sp. from C. hispidus; Eimeria albigulae from C. californicus; Eimeria arizonensis from C. californicus and D. elator; E. chaetodipi n. sp. from C. hispidus; Eimeria balphae from D. elator; E. hispidensis n. sp. from C. hispidus; Eimeria langebarteli from C. hispidus; Eimeria liomysis from L. pictus; Eimeria merriami from C. penicillatus; Eimeria reedi from C. californicus, C. fallax, C. formosus, C. hispidus, C. penicillatus, C. spinatus, and P. flavus; and Eimeria scholtysecki from C. californicus.